Picture

Real quick.

I just had to post this picture I took at work yesterday. I just had to capture this on camera, it was so cool. It just amazes me how nature paints masterpieces everyday right before our eyes. I love it.

p.s. I know lots of you visit my blog! Don't be shy about leaving comments, I always love to read your thoughts! There's even an option to comment anonymously if you want!

Minnesota

There is something special about going to my parents house. First, its a vacation for us--some people don't have that luxury when they visit their parents, but everything about staying there screams vacation. It's remote, quiet, we're usually there for a week (which it always seem a lot longer--in a good way) and you're surrounded by people who love you for you--no strings attached, no pressure, no expectation. What better break from everyday-life could you ask for that doesn't require a passport or a hole in my purse?

Second, there's always an abundant of very tasty coffee, and yummy breakfast (there's nothing like my parents breakfasts'!)

Third, it's surrounded by woods. Not just a block of trees and on the other side is civilization. I mean...a forest. That alone adds to the remote feeling (well, not a feeling really--its a fact) and peacefullness. Sometimes it freaks me out when I come back from visiting friends and its dark out (and by dark I mean pitch black) I start to imagine a bear wandering in the yard or raccoons ready to snip at my feat by the garage--I usually run walk really fast up the walkway to the house and make lots of noise.

Fourth, I just love spending time with my family. Going for walks, riding four-wheeler, playing games, whatever catches our fancy. I have four siblings, three sibling-in-laws, and five nieces and nephews--I don't get to see them very often so I cherish the times that I do!

These are some fun pictures I took of my nieces and nephews. They are just so cute!

I stole this picture off my sister's camera. (L to R) my big sis Heidi, me, and sister-in-law Tia (we're missing my younger sister Kayla--she's overseas!)

Oh, and Heidi posted a fabulous blog about visiting our parents--her story is quite a bit more interesting than mine!

On a side note: this is the busiest trip I've had yet! I went somewhere almost everyday--though it was all in good fun! Lots of trips with and to my other family--the in-laws, which is always a good time! I am lucky to have in-laws that feel like family :)

And I got to spend some time with some dear friends of mine! (It stinks to live so far away from life-long friends, but I do love that they're the kind of friends that when you get together its as if nothing every changed and you pick-up where you left off!)

This is a picture of some very very good friends of mine (we've been friends for ages!) Ryan, Teri and their son Ezra. They are like family!

Lastly, we drove home on Andy's birthday--so I took advantages of the fact that we were with our families and threw a little surprise birthday party for him before we left to celebrate his birthday. It was last minute (bad me) but it was fun and he didn't expect it--I'm just glad he got to enjoy that for his birthday instead of just a crummy twelve-hour car ride.

It was fun! And I can't wait to go back again :)

Update

Thanks everyone for their input on my layout! I'm so indecisive--as you can tell--I went back and forth and couldn't make up my mind. But I've decided to stick with my new one!

Yes or no?

As you can see I've decided to try a new background and layout--those of you that know me well know that my taste changes a lot, so it's probably no surprise that I've already decided to try something new with my blog. :) But I'm not 100% about the new look--so I need your opinion! What do you think? Yes or no?

p.s. feel free to make a suggestion

My trip so far

Just a few things I love about being "home":

* Seeing family, of course :)

* Breakfast.

* Trees, trees... and more trees.

* At night it's completely dark- there is no street lights shining in my window.

* Sitting on the porch with the woods as my company- enjoying a cup of coffee.

* Walks in the woods- minus the ticks.

A few things I've realized:

* I love having a DVD player in the car- makes a twelve-hour drive go by a lot quicker

* I am more of an outdoorsy person than I thought.

* I absolutely and most positively despise bugs that swarm around your head and refuse to leave you sane.

* I should've brought warmer clothing- you think I'd know Minnesota better to bring my long-sleeves that I'd already packed away for the summer.

* It's not a good idea- unless you're a track athlete- to try jumping over an electric fence. I didn't clear it... good thing it wasn't on.

And its only been a few days- there's still more coming!

peek!

As Andy and I were driving home from the park, coming back from a 3 mile run, we approached our street and saw a car waiting at the stop sign. As we turned the corner we both stared at the car, I'm sure our mouths were hanging open. Not because it was fancy. No. That's not the reason. (Although it wasn't a bad car either, just sort of in-between). What caught our attention was the layer of plastic covering the driver's side window (or where a window should be). The kind of thick hazy plastic you can't see through. But the really odd part was the small hole in the middle of it and the finger we saw poking through that hole and an the eyeball earnestly peeking out. Andy and I just looked at each other and laughed. Seriously, did that guy just check for traffic through a little hole in his plastic window? Nice. Super safe. Most of us are driving with our windows down... it's so warm. Wouldn't having no window be safer than a little peep hole? You'd like to think so...

St. Louis

We had a mini-vaca to St. Louis with some friends over the weekend. It felt great to get away and experience a new city! I loved the warm weather and sunshine- though I accidently left the sunblock at home and we both got burnt!

Friday we arrived and ate supper in The Hill at this cute and delicious Italian restaurant. Then we walked around The Landing and checked out the nightlife. It was so warm, when we got back to our hotel around midnight I believe it still wasn't under 80 degrees!

Saturday we went to the zoo with our friends and their kids, and saw half of our town there- apparently everyone was in St. Louis that weekend! :) The zoo was fun, and free! Andy is like a big kid himself, he loved the zoo.

We went to Busch Stadium to watch the Cardinals vs. Cubs game, and to see our towns' elementry school choir sing. Andy was determined to have a true ball game experience so he got a $7.75 bottle of beer and a $4.00 hotdog. I got a $5.00 coke. Crazy! Next time I'm bringing my own snacks.

Sunday we experienced the famous Arch. It was the second time I've been there but I was still awed by the amazing feat. We took a tram to the top of the arch- (my camera died so I took some pics from inside the arch on my friends' camera...I'll put those pictures up when I get them). It was super windy that day and when I got to the top and exited the cramped tram I thought I was just sick from the confined space. I soon realized the back and forth sway was the actual arch moving, it was nauseating. It felt like you were on a boat- trying to keep your balance. Despite the sick feeling it was very cool and an amazing view!